“We tested the controversial hypothesis that mammalian brain parts scale conservatively with brain size because of developmental constraints on size-dependent, neurogenetic patterns. Early cell-level constraint should be reflected in conserved patterns of mammalian brain partition growth, but the data required to test this expectation have been unavailable. The hydrogel/DiceCT technique, however, represents a fast way of measuring growth in minute brains, allowing us to provide the first quantification of mammalian brain partition growth. Across three marsupial species, we found no evidence of partition growth regularities with brain size or age although intraspecific growth patterns were very regular. This suggests that species-specific brain growth patterns do exist, albeit not as part of a global pattern of evolutionary developmental constraint.”

“The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis is one of the world’s most widely used model organisms – yet existing anatomical descriptions are nearly a century old, incomplete and use outdated nomenclature. Moreover, Xenopus exhibits many unusual skeletal and soft-tissue characters compared to well-described “typical” frogs such as Rana. We used diceCT to create a 3D digital dissection of Xenopus, including the skeleton, muscles, nervous, respiratory digestive and reproductive systems. The method was particularly useful in this instance as it preserves 3D topological relationships and permitted dissection of a very small, fragile specimen.”

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Iodine-enhanced CT scan projection of a mouse embryo (E11.5) in 3D (top) and an exemplar embryo RNA integrity analysis after staining and scanning, showing 18S and 26S bands as well as a lower marker (bottom).

“Here we present a method that generates high quality iodine contrasted CT images from embryonic soft tissue. This method has two primary advantages over previous methodologies. First, it allows extraction of high quality nucleic acids following the CT scan, generating a 1:1 correspondence between scan and gene expression or DNA profile. Second, it minimizes the shrinkage artifacts associated with fixation and contrasting. The ability to relate a single sample to its genetic profile will allow study of both partially penetrant models and also increase our understanding of how genotype and phenotype are directly related.”

“A three-dimensional model of the wing musculature of the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) was built using μCT and a 3% iodine-buffered formalin solution to test the ability of the technique for visualising wing musculature and obtaining quantitative data of muscle geometry. This model allows the identification of the individual muscles comprising the avian wing and can be useful for further biomechanical analysis of flight.”

It’s so important to seize opportunities to share the wonder of discovery with the public. The BioArt images showcase the beauty of scientific research and are a great place to start the conversation —Hudson Freeze, PhD, FASEB President.

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology holds an annual BioArt Competition to help engage Members of Congress and the general public about the immense value of biomedical and bioimaging research in the United States and the need for sustained support of federal funding agencies that facilitate life science and biomedical studies. To celebrate the competition, winning entries will be exhibited at the National Institutes of Health and online at FASEB.org.

“Tour through the brain of a python”— Paul M. Gignac, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, and Nathan J. Kley, Stony Brook University School of Medicine

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“We used high precision computed tomography (CT) and traditional radiography to study the nasal conchae, complex structures within the nasal cavity that condition air via countercurrent heat exchange. Concha size differed between 2 subspecies of Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) that inhabit climatically distinct habitats, suggesting adaptation to local climates. The conchae and external bill are nested structures that were positively related in size and play functionally related roles in thermoregulation, therefore suggesting phenotypic integration. We hypothesize that the typically deeper and wider bill of the dune subspecies has evolved, at least in part, to accommodate larger conchae.”

Frontal cross sections along the bills in 2 Song Sparrows prepared using alcoholic iodine (I2E), illustrating the differences between (A) M. m. atlantica and (B) M. m. melodia. Sections are ordered sequentially, from caudal-most to rostral-most. Within each cross section, the top is dorsal and the bottom is ventral. (Scale bar is 2.0 mm.)

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For those diceCT users working STABILITY protocols into your specimen preparation regimes, we’ve been hearing reports that your thermally-triggered initiator, VA-044 (2,2′-Azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride), may be difficult to source. It tends to be sold in larger volumes than researchers practically require for STABILITY, which has made it difficult to purchase while leaving much of the chemical unused on researcher’s shelves.

Dr. Vera Weisbecker (University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia) has recently offered to share some of her supply with STABILITY users, who might not be able to get a hold of it from Wako Specialty Chemicals or elsewhere. Please email her directly if you are interested.

We, @DiceCT, would like to offer an enormous thank you to Dr. Weisbecker for her generosity and openness, in particular, as well as for advancing STABILITY for our larger community!